Matt Hancock has claimed he had a “bucket of s**t poured over his head” in the wake of his affair with aide Gina Coladangelo. Saying he is “only human”, the former health secretary said he wants “forgiveness for the human error I made”. But he admitted a “failure of leadership” over the affair.

He told the Mail: “I want forgiveness for the mistake I made, the failure of leadership at the end of the pandemic when I fell in love with Gina and I broke the guidance that I’d signed off.

“I want forgiveness for the human error I made… but I’m not asking for forgiveness for how I handled the pandemic.

“I woke up every single morning determined to do the very best I could in the most impossible circumstances until I needed to go to bed at night. I did that for 18 months.

“There is a good, honest explanation for every single decision I made, whether it turned out to be right or not.”

Mr Hancock, who was married with three children when he embarked on the affair with Ms Coladangelo, added: “We realised what was happening was of huge consequence that would last for the rest of our lives but… this was an affaire de coeur and therefore my political judgment was off.”#

He said that he has faced “horrific” abuse, adding: “It’s been absolutely horrific, especially for Gina. I’ve had an absolute bucket of shit poured over my head.”